It is fascinating to
compare the vision of Daniel with the image of Jesus before Pilate. In both, the Lord of
Creation is depicted in a moment of triumph. Daniel has no sense of the paradox of that
Lord being treated like a common criminal. There was of course no reason why he should,
though the author of the section of Isaiah dimly saw that reality. At the heart of the
paradox, however, is the insight that Jesus is the Lord of Creation, the king who
triumphs, the leader whom we follow precisely because he suffers with and for us and goes
down with us into the valley of death. That's why he is not only the Lord of creation but
Our Lord too.

Once upon a time, not so
very long ago, a woman ran for the office of representative to her town council. She was
the first woman from their town to run for the office. Many people from her district were
surprised by this and spoke out against her. They claimed she lacked the proper
credentials; though they couldnt define what they meant by proper
credentials. During her campaign, she pledged to rid the town council of corruption, to
improve the streets and sanitation department and to meet with anyone who had ideas on how
to improve services in the town or who had complaints about problems in their area. Her
opponent, a long time member of the council, mocked her whenever he spoke, saying she
lacked experience and would just be an obstacle to projects the council wanted to put in
place. However, her campaign pledges spoke to enough people from her area and she became
the first woman on the council. Needless to say many of the council members were not
pleased and they tried to block any proposal she presented, even if it was the benefit of
the community. In spite of the harassment to which she was subjected, she worked at
presenting proposals that would improve the quality of life in the town.As she drew attention the problems, even people
outside her district became more aware of the inefficiency of the town council. When the
next election came around, people in other areas came forth to challenge the old
timers. Eventually the town council became more representative of the community and
the woman who started it all became the mayor.